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[373]
Now there was one of these Essens, whose name was Manahem, who had
this testimony, that he not only conducted his life after an excellent
manner, but had the foreknowledge of future events given him by God also.
This man once saw Herod when he was a child, and going to school, and saluted
him as king of the Jews; but he, thinking that either he did not know him,
or that he was in jest, put him in mind that he was but a private man;
but Manahem smiled to himself, and clapped him on his backside with his
hand, and said," However that be, thou wilt be king, and wilt begin
thy reign happily, for God finds thee worthy of it. And do thou remember
the blows that Manahem hath given thee, as being a signal of the change
of thy fortune. And truly this will be the best reasoning for thee, that
thou love justice [towards men], and piety towards God, and clemency towards
thy citizens; yet do I know how thy whole conduct will be, that thou wilt
not be such a one, for thou wilt excel all men in happiness, and obtain
an everlasting reputation, but wilt forget piety and righteousness; and
these crimes will not be concealed from God, at the conclusion of thy life,
when thou wilt find that he will be mindful of them, and punish time for
them." Now at that time Herod did not at all attend to what Manahem
said, as having no hopes of such advancement; but a little afterward, when
he was so fortunate as to be advanced to the dignity of king, and was in
the height of his dominion, he sent for Manahem, and asked him how long
he should reign. Manahem did not tell him the full length of his reign;
wherefore, upon that silence of his, he asked him further, whether he should
reign ten years or not? He replied, "Yes, twenty, nay, thirty years;"
but did not assign the just determinate limit of his reign. Herod was satisfied
with these replies, and gave Manahem his hand, and dismissed him; and from
that time he continued to honor all the Essens. We have thought it proper
to relate these facts to our readers, how strange soever they be, and to
declare what hath happened among us, because many of these Essens have,
by their excellent virtue, been thought worthy of this knowledge of Divine
revelations.

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